The Friday Fizz: JACQUES PICARD Brut Champagne NV

The Place:
The Jacques Picard estate vineyards in Berru and Montbré and their Cave in Berru in the Valle de la Marne in Champagne.

The Wine:
JACQUES PICARD Brut, Champagne, NV ($39.89)
An estate bottled blend of 60% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Meunier, and 5% Pinot Noir (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are from Berru. and the Pinot Meunier is from nearby Montbré. This cuvee is based on 2011 with 50% reserve wines (2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007 and 5% of the estate’s solera). After champenization, it is aged three years on the yeasts and dosed to 8 grams per liter (0.8%) residual sugar (true Brut). Straw in color with green highlights and fully sparkling; dry, medium-bodied with fresh acidity and scant phenolics. The nose offers coconut, toast, spice, citrus, and some red fruit … and the palate follows. A core of mineral earth holds it together. This is a bigger, richer style of Brut NV. BearScore: 91+.